Eagles' Westbrook to visit specialists
Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will visit two concussion specialists in Pittsburgh today.
Westbrook sustained his second concussion in three weeks during the Eagles' 31-23 loss at San Diego on Sunday. The 30-year-old former all-pro suffered his first career concussion Oct. 26 against Washington.
Westbrook first will consult with neuropsychologist Mark R. Lovell, head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder says in a statement. After that visit, Westbrook and Lovell will meet with neurosurgeon Joseph Maroon.
Burkholder says Lovell has been consulting with the Eagles' medical staff on Westbrook's recovery since his first concussion.
Johnson joins Bengals: Larry Johnson might have his career up and running sooner than expected. The running back who was banished from Kansas City for bad behavior signed on for a backup role with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, giving the AFC North leaders depth for the rest of this season. He might not be watching for long. A day after coach Marvin Lewis referred to Johnson as an insurance policy in case of injury, he said it's possible the running back could play in some form Sunday in Oakland if starter Cedric Benson is still limited by a strained hip.
Chiefs' Bowe suspended: Dwayne Bowe, in and out of his coach's doghouse all year, is in much deeper trouble now. Kansas City's third-year wide receiver was suspended without pay for four games Tuesday for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances. Bowe's agent, Todd France, said his client was guilty only of taking a weight loss supplement.
"Dwayne did not take a steroid or any other peformance-enhancing drug," France said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Tequila sues Merriman: Reality TV star Tila Tequila filed a lawsuit against San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, alleging domestic violence. Attorney Cyrus Nownejad told The Associated Press that Tequila is seeking $1.5 million in damages. Merriman was arrested by sheriff's deputies on Sept. 6 after Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing him of battery and false imprisonment at his suburban San Diego home. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis declined to charge Merriman.
Extra points: The Baltimore Ravens cut kicker Steve Hauschka, who missed a 36-yard field goal and had a conversion blocked in Monday night's 16-0 win over Cleveland. ... Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs was released from a hospital after being injured on a final, meaningless play in Monday night's 16-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Browns coach Eric Mangini said Cribbs did not sustain a concussion and he remained optimistic one of the NFL's most dangerous return specialists will play Sunday in Detroit. ...
Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will miss Thursday night's game at Carolina because of an injured right foot, and his status for the rest of the regular season is uncertain. ... The Pittsburgh-Baltimore matchup Nov. 29 will remain the Sunday night game even though NBC had the option of picking another contest. ...
The NFL said Tuesday that the Arizona-Tennessee game that day will start at 3:15 p.m. CST instead of noon. The league's flexible scheduling policy allows it to change the Sunday night game to select a better matchup starting in Week 11.